Heonik Kwon lecture February 14, colloquium February 16 at Pitt.

Visiting Fellow Dr. Heonik Kwon of the University of Cambridge will give two talks at the University of Pittsburgh, on February 14 and 16. Dr. Kwon will give a lecture on "Remembering the Cold War" from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on February 14 in room 602 Cathedral of Learning (map). The February 16 colloquium titled "Peace under the Orange Tree: Civil War and the Amity of Kinship" will be held from 12:30 to 2:00 pm in 602 Cathedral of Learning; the subject of the talk is outlined in this document and is particularly related to the Cold War vis-a-vis Jeju Island.

Zhang Yimou's The Great Wall (长城) in Pittsburgh from February 16.

The 2016 Zhang Yimou film The Great Wall (长城) will open in Pittsburgh, and throughout the US, on February 16. Starring Matt Damon, Jing Ting, and Andy Lau, among others, it was the highest-grossing movie in China the week it was released. A South China Morning Post review provides a summary:

Damon plays William, an Irish mercenary who arrives at China’s Great Wall together with Spanish companion Tovar (Game of Thrones’ Pedro Pascal) just as it is besieged by a monstrous horde of Taotie – mythical beasts from the bowels of Hell, whom the Chinese believe were sent to keep their greed in check.
Initially the foreigners simply wish to flee with as much explosive “black powder” as they can carry, but after earning the respect of Commander Lin (Jing Tian), newly appointed leader of the wall’s Nameless Order, William agrees to stay and help defend the kingdom.

Early criticism that the film propagates the “white saviour” narrative and that Damon’s role was whitewashed both prove unfounded. William is a proficient warrior and willing collaborator, but it is Lin and Strategist Wang (Andy Lau) who discover the key to defeating the beasts and spearhead the pivotal assault.

It will open on the 16th with a 7:30 pm show at Southside Works Cinemas, and will open more widely in the city on the 17th. Showtimes and ticket information are available via the movie's official website.

Filipino Marathon Film Series continues with One More Try in Oakland, February 18.

The 2012 movie One More Try will play at the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium in Oakland on January 14, the second installment in the Filipino Marathon Film Series presented by the Filipino American Association of Pitsburgh. A synopsis by Reel Advice:

Six years ago, Edward (Dingdong Dantes) had an affair with a local Baguio girl named Grace (Angel Locsin). What Edward didn't know is that he bore her a child. Now, at present time, Botchok is now five and unfortunately, he has a fatal sickness that needs a rare donor - one that his father might be able to provide. As fate would have it, it turns out that both Grace and Edward don't have the necessary bone marrow for Botchok. Botchok's doctor tells them that the easiest and fastest way to get a compatible donor is for them to bear a new child. This is easier said than done as Edward is already married to his long time love Jacqueline (Angelica Panganiban) and Grace has a loving boyfriend (Zanjoe Marudo) by her side. As Botchok's sickness gets worse, the two and their partners must decide if they must do the ultimate taboo to save a child's life.

The event runs from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Frick Fine Arts Building (map). Single tickets are $10 and proceeds benefit the Philippine Nationality Room fund.

WholeRen Education hiring Chinese-speaking part-time International Education Specialist.

WholeRen Education LLC, a Pittsburgh-based Chinese education consulting and placement company, is hiring a part-time International Education Specialist.

International Education Specialist (Part time)

• As an International Education Specialist, under the guidelines of Department of State and program regulations
• You will be resbonsible for translating important documents for online platform and websites. * You will have opportunities to conduct interviews with international students, to help to improve their language and enhance our international programs.
• You will collaborate with the National Office in LA, Boston, San Fransisco, and Beijing, regarding homestay programs.

Job Requirements for International Education Specialist:

• As an International Education Specilist in America, you must be able to workindependently and effectively in Pittsburgh Office.
• You must have exceptional networking, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• You must understand certain level of Chinese Writing and communication. Prefer college student who is pursuiting Chinese Major.

The pay starts at minimum wage, and the application can be completed online.

“The Chinese Exclusion Act in American and World History, 1882-1965”, part of February 11 Teach-In at Pitt.

Visiting Assistant Professor in the University of Pittsburgh's Department of History David Luesink will speak on “The Chinese Exclusion Act in American and World History, 1882-1965” as part of Pitt's Teach-In on New Immigration & Trade Policies on February 11.

The Teach-In is an opportunity to explore and learn more about the historical context and implications of America’s new trade and immigration policies.

The sessions run from 1:00 to 5:00 pm---and a full schedule is available here---and Dr. Luesink's talk runs from 4:00 to 4:50 in the the Yugoslav Room (#142) in the Cathedral of Learning (map).

Year of the Rooster parade, February 12 in Squirrel Hill.

via @OCA Pittsburgh.

The second annual Lunar New Year parade through Squirrel Hill will take place on Sunday, February 12 from 11:00 am.

[T]he festivities will culminate with the second annual Lunar New Year parade. At 11am on Sunday, February 12, more than 30 groups will begin their march at Murray Avenue and Phillips. The route will continue up Murray Avenue and conclude at Forbes and Murray.

Chinese movie Duckweed (乘风破浪) in Pittsburgh, from February 10.

The 2017 Chinese movie Duckweed (乘风破浪) will play at the AMC Loews Waterfront theater from February 10. A Variety review summarizes:

The protagonist, Lang (Deng Chao), is a car racer living in 2022 Shanghai. Upon winning a national rally, he publicly and sarcastically “thanks” his dad, Zheng (Eddie Peng), for his rough upbringing and lack of encouragement. He offers Zheng a ride to show off his driving, but crashes the vehicle.

While hovering between life and death, Lang time-slips to 1998, and lands in an alley where he witnesses a young Zheng’s righteous but foolhardy actions. Together with dimwit Liu Yi (race-car driver Zack Gao) and computer nerd Little Ma (Dong Zijian, “Mountains May Depart”) they pose like younger selves of the aged vigilantes in Guan Hu’s “Mr Six,” upholding honor codes borrowed from ’80s Hong Kong gangster films.

The movie opened in China on January 28. Tickets and showtimes are available via Fandango. The theater is located at 300 West Waterfront Dr. in the Waterfront shopping complex in Homestead (map), across the Monongahela River from Greenfield, Squirrel Hill, and the rest of Pittsburgh.

Also at the Waterfront, the Stephen Chow-produced movie Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons 2 (西遊伏妖篇) continues.

When the former mayor of Pittsburgh was the US ambassador to Japan.

Photograph from Library of Congress.

George W. Guthrie, mayor of Pittsburgh from 1906 to 1909, served as the United States Ambassador to Japan from 1913 until his death in 1917.

Yanlai Dance Academy presents Red Fan, March 4.

Yanlai Dance Academy, based in the North Hills, will present Red Fan on March 4.

Enjoy the dazzling spectacle of traditional Chinese dance. Watch dances that range from graceful fluidity to rambunctious athleticism. Learn about the many ethnic groups and traditions that make up Chinese culture. Be dazzled by the exquisite costumes, exotic music, and gifted dancers. Yanlai Dance Academy's Red Fan is a family-friendly experience guaranteed to entertain.

Tickets begin at $15 for general admission. The event will be held from 6:00 pm at Carson Middle School, located off McKnight Road in the North Hills (map).

InStyle Hair Studio, a new Asian hair salon, coming to Squirrel Hill.

Renovations are underway at 5815 Forbes Ave. in Squirrel Hill (map), where InStyle Hair Salon will open in what was most recently a Kidz & Company children's clothing store. It will be the second Asian hair salon in the neighborhood, and the most recent in a line of Asian businesses to recently open in Squirrel Hill following Hair Lin's (名髮廊), two express mail services, an Asian clothing boutique, a Taiwanese restaurant, and Hi Sound KTV.